Mattie McGrath urges proper recognition and support for family carers
Mattie McGrath spoke on 22 Mar 2023 about recognition and support for family carers, arguing they receive lip service but not fundamental respect in successive budgets. He called for proper recognition, practical supports for carers at home and an end to rules that deny assistance to people with small landholdings.
Call for recognition
McGrath said family carers from the oldest to the youngest deserve proper recognition for the work they do and warned that praise without meaningful support is insufficient. He stressed that solutions are not enough unless backed by tangible resources.
Budget criticism
He criticised repeated budgets for giving only "small bits and pieces" while failing to grant carers fundamental respect and adequate funding. McGrath accused unnamed elements in the system of pulling back supports rather than delivering consistent help.
Children acting as carers
McGrath highlighted statistics showing many children performing family caring duties, saying children who should be in school or taking Sioghra are instead expected to care for loved ones. He emphasised the need to protect young people from undue caring responsibilities.
Local groups and advocates cited
He referenced Family Carers Ireland, Councillor Ritchie Millay and the manager of South Tipperary as voices that repeatedly raise carers' needs. McGrath said these groups continue to bring the issue to attention year after year.
Home support and outcomes
Arguing for support that keeps people in their homes, McGrath said home-based care helps people be happier, thrive and recover while also reducing hospital pressure. He urged removal of rules that deny people help — including restrictions related to small landholdings — to ensure carers are supported.
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I think you want a complement and cost of Acton and a group of what's power is an excellent motion. Each year after year the Carers come up, Family Carers Ireland, Councillor Ritchie Millay, the manager of South Tipperary. And all the groups, and we give them lip service and promise them and praise them, but they get no fundamental respect in budget after budget after budget. Okay, they have got small bits and pieces, but they need to be recognised for the work they do. From the old to the youngest the Carers, and statistics have proven that there are so many children doing Family Carering. Children who should be able to take Sioghra, should be done in school, and should not be expected to care for a loved one. It is time that we have a proper recognition of what the family carers do, and get rid of the Grinchers out of the system that will deny people with the six acres of land, as you were going to make a fortune on us, and watch it every minute to pull back stuff. Support the people in their homes, because if you keep them out of the hospitals, they are happier, they thrive, they recover. I salute the carers, but solutions are not enough. We need to support them. Thank you.
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